Florida Derby draw kicks off at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. ā€“ The Florida Derby draw kicked off at Gulfstream Park Wednesday Afternoon. Saturday's race is expected to draw many of the country's top 3-year-olds.

With $1 million at stake, the field is expected to include top contenders Union Rags and El Padrino.

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HORSE

JOCKEY

TRAINER

Fort Loudon Jeffrey Sanchez Stanley Gold
News Pending Rajiv Maragh Dale Romans
Take Charge Indy Calvin Borel Pat Byrne
Neck N' Neck Edgar Prado Ian Wilkes
Z Camelot Joe Bravo Dale Romans
Union Rags Julien Leparoux Michael Matz
Bartolome Jesus Castanon Jose Garoffalo
El Padrino Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher
Reveron Elvis Trujillo

Augustin Bezara

The 61st running of the $1 million Florida Derby will be the subject of a prime time special Wednesday, March 28 titled "Countdown to the Florida Derby" broadcast 9:30-10 p.m., on Local 10.

Hosted by Will Manso and Johanna Gomez, Countdown to the Florida Derby will include a feature on trainer Michael Matz, the conditioner of this year's Florida Derby favorite Union Rags and 2006 Florida Derby winner and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

Other features include Channel 10's Andrea Brody traveling to Midway, Ky to visit 2008 Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. Meanwhile, Manso and Gomez will get handicapping tips from track analysts Ron Nicoletti and Jessica Pacheco and a tour of the facility from president and general manager Timothy Ritvo. Chef Ralph Pagano will give a cooking demonstration of what's on tap in Ten Palms American Kitchen and Stone Crab Parlor on Florida Derby Day.

Post time on Florida Derby day is 12:30 p.m. Gulfstream kicks off Derby Day with its popular Breakfast at Gulfstream from 7:30-10 a.m.